The Ely Blueberry Arts Festival: A Beloved Minnesota Tradition

What is the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival?

July 24-26, 2026 marks the 46th Annual Ely Blueberry Art Festival up in the woods of Northern Minnesota. Tens of thousands of people turn out every year to show support for local artists and homemade crafts alongside exquisite foods and drinks. While blueberries serve as a centerpiece for the food at the festival, there are plenty of other foods, drinks, and attractions one can enjoy themselves with as well to celebrate the beauty and production of the northern forests. Come explore the beautiful woods of Northern Minnesota while experiencing the taste-filled berries that come directly from the land! Ely’s Blueberry Art Festival is a must-see event!

What to Expect at the Festival?

There is no shortage of experiences to have at the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival! Here are some of the favorites for attending guests:

Local Artists, Handmade Crafts, and Unique Finds

Local artists fill the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival with unique, handmade arts and crafts that are unlike anything else in the world. Whether you’re looking for woodcraft, acrylic art, or pottery, there are one-of-a-kind local art pieces available for purchase! There is no shortage of creativity at play here brought to you by people in the local community.

Blueberry Treats You Can’t Miss

The food at the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival is widespread and fantastic! There is no shortage of blueberry-flavored treats like pies, muffins, waffles, breads, and more. If blueberries aren’t your flavor, there are plenty of other food options as well including burgers, pork chops, brats, and more. With a beer garden on premise too, there is fantastic food and drink for everyone! 

Live Music, Entertainment, and Family Fun

Outside of the foods and crafts, there is tons of entertainment to find at the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival as well. Local bands bring in live music to provide additional atmosphere while there is no shortage of games and other activities around to have some family fun. Connected to the festival, there is also Operation Blueberry, which teams up with local businesses to create even more attraction for the festival. With so much to do, you may need two days to get to everything! 

How to Make the Most of Your Festival Trip?

With so many events, so many people, and limited time to enjoy everything, you should plan ahead your trip to the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival to get the most out of the occasion. The festival itself recommends allotting two days to get to all the activities! Here are some tips to keep in mind as you plan your attendance:

When to Arrive and Where to Park

With consistently large attendance at Ely’s Blueberry Art Festival every year, arriving early can help beat the midday crowd surges while giving you time to experience more of the attractions. The festival opens at 9 AM Friday and Saturday while opening at 10 AM on Sunday. Parking for the festival is at Whiteside Park in Ely along Sheridan Street.

Tips for Avoiding the Crowds and Getting the Best Deals

To avoid the largest crowds, arriving early or late in the day is typically the best approach; midday tends to be the most popular time for the festival. If you’re hunting deals specifically, arriving later in the day typically yields better results. When the day is almost closing, (and even more so on Sunday when the entire festival is closing), some artists and dealers are more willing to give deals and part with their pieces to relieve some inventory. 

The Best Post-Festival Activities in Crane Lake

Post-festival, there is no shortage of activities around Crane Lake to occupy your day. If you’re out early, Crane Lake has some beautiful hiking trails and lakes to enjoy for some outdoor recreation. If you’re getting out late from the Blueberry Arts Festival (our recommendation) there are some great nightlife spots around Crane Lake where you can get dinner/a drink and relax in the beauty of Northern Minnesota.

Why Crane Lake is the Perfect Base for The Ely Blueberry Festival

Crane Lake makes for a fantastic base of operations when attending the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival! Only a short drive away, but separate from the chaos of the festival itself, Crane Lake is the perfect escape for your trip.

About 90 miles away through a beautiful drive, Crane Lake is a realistic base of operations for attending Ely’s Blueberry Arts Festival. Such a location allows you to experience the hustle and bustle of the widely attended festival while still having a space all your own to retreat to whenever you’re ready.

Outdoor Adventures to Pair with Your Festival Weekend

Staying at Crane Lake for the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival enables a weekend full of festival activities and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re into hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, or any number of other outdoor activities, being on Crane Lake in July provides opportunity for it all. The nature here is absolutely beautiful and serves as inspiration for Ely’s Blueberry Art Festival to begin with.

Where to Stay in Crane Lake for the Best Experience

Crane Lake has no shortage of places to stay depending on what you want from your experience. There is everything from RVs, to small cabins, to rooms in a lodge, to larger accommodations for families. Many of these facilities offer additional access to activities on Crane Lake to further enhance your experience up here in Northern Minnesota.

This northeast Minnesota territory is part of Voyageurs National Park and offers many outdoor activities, such as kayaking, biking, hiking, and backpacking. Visitors from all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, and beyond travel to Crane Lake to enjoy the vast wilderness and explore the beauty of its many lakes and waterways. There are many local accommodations from cabin rentals to fishing tours with family fun activities for all ages. Contact us today to learn more about Crane Lake and plan your visit!

Plan Your Trip: Festival Fun Meets Northwoods Adventure

There is no shortage of adventure in the northern woods of Minnesota. Between Ely’s famous Blueberry Arts Festival, with all that entails, and the beautiful landscape of Crane Lake and Northern Minnesota, there is an unforgettable experience waiting to be had! Come see what Crane Lake has to offer and why tens of thousands of people come out to Ely to celebrate Blueberries, local artists, community, and so much more in the perfect combination of festival and nature!